NCJ Number
194980
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 50 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 401-403
Date Published
February 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the management of airport security at Florida’s Tampa International Airport (TIA) through the establishment of partnerships with local, State, and Federal agencies to maintain safer airports.
Abstract
Tampa International Airport in Florida has been ranked the highest for overall passenger satisfaction in the United States. To continue to receive this ranking and in the wake of the terrorist attack on the United States in September 2001, the airport management’s focus has been on its air safety and ground security. This was undertaken through establishing partnerships with many local, State, and Federal agencies. Some of these partnerships include a working relationship between the Tampa International Airport Police Department, the FBI and the National Guard. In the case of an emergency at the TIA, the local sheriff’s offices, the Tampa Bomb Squad, U.S. Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and staff from MacDill Air Force Base can be contacted and some have satellite offices at the airport. Suggestions were made by the TIA when working with other agencies to make airports and flying safer. These include: (1) training on actual planes; (2) familiarization with the layout of the airport; (3) receive proper security clearances ahead of time; (4) make arrangements to borrow equipment for emergencies; and (5) have a contingency plan.